'He was at the wrong place, at the wrong time': Matt Courneya's roommate

The friends and family of Matt Courneya, 21, are struggling to come to terms with the young man's sudden and violent death.

Mr. Courneya's roommate, Pawel Tetera, said his friend's sudden death has been a shock for everyone who knew him.

Mr. Courneya went to a Stewart St. party Tuesday night.

Shortly before midnight he was stabbed during an altercation and died of his injuries at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

Tetera said he and Mr. Courneya have been roommates at a McDonnel St. home since the New Year, having met through a mutual friend.

Mr. Courneya attended Fleming College, enrolled in the school's culinary arts program, Tetera said, before taking a break to work for a local security firm.

Mr. Courneya alternated his time between working out at the gym and hanging out with his friends, he said, adding that he loved to party and would try to host poker games at the house every week or two.

"He was a good kid," he said.

Mr. Courneya and his friends often spent Wednesday nights at the White House playing pool and Tetera said they decided to continue the tradition despite the tragedy.

About 60 to 70 people gathered at the Charlotte St. bar to share stories and talk about their lost friend, he said.

There were a lot of tears, he said, and a lot of smiles.

Tetera wasn't at the Stewart St. party Tuesday night, but said he's spoken to those who were with Mr. Courneya when the trouble began.

"To be brutally honest, he was at the wrong place, at the wrong time," Tetera said.

One group of people at the house were asked to leave, he said, but instead stood by the front door.

Mr. Courneya and another friend went down to ask them to leave and a scuffle broke out, with the group outside pushing forward to get back into the house, he said.

He was told a knife was pulled during the scuffle and Mr. Courneya was stabbed.

When people realized Mr. Courneya was hurt the group outside ran to a vehicle and drove off.

Someone at the party called 911. Tetera said he drove to the hospital to see how his roommate was doing.

He said he has spoken to Mr. Courneya's family and everyone is having a hard time dealing with what has happened.